Friday, July 11, 2014

Minutes of June 11, 2014 ZALU meeting


Minutes of June 11, 2014  ZALU meeting [Approved on July 9, 2014]
Old Louisville Zoning and Land Use Committee.
Regular monthly public meetings are scheduled on second Wednesday of each month.
Location: Old Louisville Information Center, Central Park
Called to order at 7:05 PM.

Attending members: Chuck Anderson, ZALU chair; Erin Lee; Leah Stewart; Mary Martin; Lira Johnson;
Joe Impellizzeri;  Bob Bajandas;  Christopher White

Absent members: Stephen Peterson (Absence excused)

Others in attendance:  Howard Rosenberg, OLNC chair, ZALU member ex officio [nonvoting]
Guests:  Mary McGuire (Metro Vacant & Abandoned Properties); Jeana Dunlap (Metro Community Revitalization)
Summary of actions: Various subjects discussed. No motions or voting were transacted.  Two motions, two votes.

Order of Business
I. Minutes from May 14 meeting presented. Motion to accept.  No changes. Second & Vote. Approved unanimously.

II. Visitors from VAPSTAT  Metro Vacant & Abandoned Properties Statistics multi-agency program.
Jeana  begins presentation. VAP program Initiated in 2011. Fact:  6 –7 K abandoned or underutilized properties -structures and vacant lots - citywide.     (See provided handout. Live Work Play VAPStat).
Recent initiatives:
·       To streamline/remedy legal and title issues that hinder site control and recovery
·       Donation program and land bank authority
·       Competition for lot beautification (permanent or temporary)

Mary McGuire continued presentation.
·       2011 state law prioritized Metro liens to second in line of creditors when an encumbered property is sold
KRS 381.770 (7) The [municipal] lien…shall take precedence over all other liens, except taxes.
·       Process: Referrals, Court process, Foreclosure, Sale,
For more information and study go to program website <www.vapstat.louisvilleky.gov>

Discussion:
Questions raised about abandonment criteria.  Are there VAPStat tools that ZALU can use?
What is the VAPStat definition of abandonment. 
      Abandoned Urban Properties [AUP] definition and process is basis for VAPStat def & process.
Review AUP definition of abandonment. Note: AUP is a division of PVA. Note: AUP is enforced by PVA.
Definition of Boarding and Lodging House a.k.a. “rooming house”, “sleeping rooms” “flop house”.

LDC is under revision; now is good time to submit comments for new language regarding definition of abandonment.
Lira proposes that we ask for a single definition of abandonment; show the many sources and different wordings.
This multiplicity of definitions needs uniformity. Developers as well as homeowners, and organs like ZALU, deserve clarification and streamlining of the whole issue of abandonment and its processing by Metro and its various agencies.
Similar is the issuing of Certificates of Occupancy [COO]– for new construction, remodeling, new ownership & leases.
ZALU actions:
      Lira will report on local & national definitions/models & case law - re: abandonment and issuing of COOs.
      Bob Bajandas will speak with Michael Hill of Metro who is overseeing the submissions of revisions.
      Chuck will speak to Councilwoman Bryant Hamilton about her proposed moratorium on new boarding houses.

III. Amendments to ZALU Charter. Report by Chuck. Up for approval with small changes by OLNC in June.

IV. Properties
A.    Bob reported on 1325 S. 3rd St. Construction of rear porch that impinges on private yard. Going before Metro     
    Planning commission. Owners ask for support of ZALU. Motion to support and for Bob to write letter of support.  
    Seconded. Vote; approved all.
      B. 1388 S. 2nd. Review case information.
      C. Reviewed.  Letter to owners/realtors when multi-unit property is listed. Currently not in an active OLNC service.
      D. Other cases on agenda deferred.
     
V.  Adjourned 8:40 p.m.